PATS 101: What is Next
Monday, July 25, 2011
Fasten your seatbelts Patriots’ fans, it is all going to happen rather quickly.
With NFL players expected to ratify the new 10-year collective bargaining deal the owners ratified late last week, the 2011 NFL offseason, preseason and regular season are going to hit us like rapid fire.
If the NFLPA executive committee accepts the CBA and settlement terms of existing lawsuits as expected Monday, then Wednesday would be the day that teams would be able to negotiate with their own restricted and unrestricted free agents as well as their 2011 draft picks.
However, no contracts could be signed until Saturday under the arrangement and it is not yet known when teams will be able to sign undrafted and other free agents.
So how does this affect your New England Patriots?
First, the team was officially expected to open their 2011 training camp today (July 25). That will not happen. Some reports have suggested that training camps cannot begin until at least a week after the new CBA is signed by all parties. That would mean that a date of on or around August 1st could be the official opening of training camps across the league.
That would give the Patriots only a week and a half to prepare for their first preseason game which is scheduled for Thursday, August 11th against Jacksonville at Gillette Stadium. Here is New England’s entire preseason and regular season schedule:
2011 PRESEASON SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time Network
Thursday, Aug. 11 Jacksonville Jaguars 7:30 p.m. ET NEP Preseason Network
Thursday, Aug. 18 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7:30 p.m. ET NEP Preseason Network
Saturday, Aug. 27 at Detroit Lions 8:00 p.m. ET CBS
Thursday, Sept. 1 New York Giants 7:30 p.m. ET NEP Preseason Network
2011 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time Network
Monday, Sept. 12 at Miami Dolphins 7:00 PM ET ESPN
Sunday, Sept. 18 San Diego Chargers 4:15 PM ET CBS
Sunday, Sept. 25 at Buffalo Bills 1:00 PM ET CBS
Sunday, Oct. 2 at Oakland Raiders 4:15 PM ET CBS
Sunday, Oct. 9 New York Jets 4:15 PM ET CBS
Sunday, Oct. 16 Dallas Cowboys 4:15 PM ET FOX
Sunday, Oct. 23 Bye Week
Sunday, Oct. 30 at Pittsburgh Steelers 4:15 PM ET CBS
Sunday, Nov. 6 New York Giants 4:15 PM ET FOX
Sunday, Nov. 13 at New York Jets 8:20 PM ET NBC
Monday, Nov. 21 Kansas City Chiefs 8:30 PM ET ESPN
Sunday, Nov. 27 at Philadelphia Eagles 4:15 PM ET CBS*
Sunday, Dec. 4 Indianapolis Colts 8:20 PM ET NBC*
Sunday, Dec. 11 at Washington Redskins 1:00 PM ET CBS*
Sunday, Dec. 18 at Denver Broncos 4:15 PM ET CBS*
Saturday, Dec, 24 Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM ET CBS*
Sunday, Jan. 1 Buffalo Bills 1:00 PM ET CBS*
* - Game time and network subject to possible flexible scheduling adjustment.
Bold indicated nationally televised games
Part of the new CBA reportedly calls for an end to double sessions as we know them in NFL training camps. This does not mean that teams will not be allowed to hold two practices each day during camp, the will. However, only 1 of the 2 sessions will be in helmets and full pads. The other session will be without helmets and shoulder pads acting like more of a walk-through session.
Will both of these sessions be open to fans? Good question. If there is a fan interest in both sessions, it would be hard to believe that the Kraft’s or any owner would turn down a financial opportunity to have more people buy water, team merchandise and the like.
As soon as more information on dates and times for the opening of Patriots training camp and when fans will be allowed access, we will be sure to have it for you here on GoLocalProv.com.
Other Notes:
-Pats OLB Tully Banta-Cain underwent surgery to repair an abdominal tear on Friday according to various reports. The estimated timetable for his return is between 4-6 weeks.
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